He Tripped

Tarrin lifted the phone above Josey’s head as she attempted to snatch it back. He couldn't let her call anyone because it would just draw more attention to what he was trying to do, and himself, as well.

Hanging it up, he handed it back to her.

“Why did you hang up!?” She yelled at him.

“Calling your friend wouldn’t be wise, unless you want to explain to him why his friend is knocked out?” Tarrin challenged her, noticing her panicked expression.

“You’re the one that knocked him out!” She responded, eyeing the snoring body as she put the phone back in her pocket.

“Did you.. see me knock him out?” He asked as he pulled out his own phone.

“Yes..no..but you did. Otherwise, how did he end up flat on his back, and snoring?” Josey replied, frustrated this was going nowhere.

“He tripped, apparently knocking himself out.” Tarrin responded with a smug look as he shrugged his shoulders and unlocked his phone.

Josey’s mouth dropped open. She started to question if that was true but didn’t buy it in the end.

“Yea right.” Crossing her arms, she stood there staring at him.

Tarrin quickly dialed for Linux. He was suddenly feeling light headed, and knew why. The adrenaline rush of knocking the guy out as he reached for Josey, used what bit of control he had left reserved before needing a treatment.

“Hey, I need a favor.” He said once Linux picked up.

“Are you about to....?” Linux questioned, sounding panicked.

Tarrin watched as Josey started pacing a moment before answering Linux, he was already feeling the wolf cells in his body start to grow, eating on the adrenaline Josey's actions already made him produce.

“No, not yet, but soon. Right now, though, I need you to pick someone up and take them home. We are right before the park off of Main, past the bus stop.” Tarrin hung up before his friend could respond.

Josey stopped and looked at him, having heard what he said, she was unsure of what to do.

“I will have my friend drop him off at his home. When he wakes up, hopefully he will have forgotten how he bumped his head.” Tarrin said to Josey as he walked over to the man’s car.

“Wait, are you going to steal his car?” Josey yelled suddenly unsure of what to think.

He just laughed and opened the knocked out friend’s door. He searched his vehicle quickly for anything important but found nothing.

“I can buy 6 of these if I wanted. Besides, I find cars like this pretentious.” Tarrin said as he shut the door and walked over to where the guy was knocked out.

"Your pretentious," Josey mumbled as she watched Tarrin like a hawk. 

She figured any guy who would knock out a defenseless person wasn’t to be trusted, even if the guy did deserve it.

“What are you doing now, robbing him?” She said sarcastically as he searched the guys pockets.

“No, I am looking for an address to his home. If you insist on standing there asking questions, and accusing me, you can call just call the cops instead. They ask way less questions, and find one innocent before guilty. Thats much more efficient.” Tarrin responded, unamused.

He was lying, he didn’t need to know the address, as he knew perfectly well aware  where the guy lived. Instead, he was looking for a cell phone.

Feeling in the guy’s jacket pocket, he found it.

“Hey, can you check his back seat? See if he has a blanket or something, it’s getting chilly out.” He asked Josey suddenly, trying to distract her.

Josey nodded and hurried over to Jared’s friend’s car. She thought that at least Tarrin had some compassion if he was going to cover the guy up.

Once her back was turned, Tarrin slipped the phone from the guy’s jacket pocket to his.

Shutting the door to the back seat she walked back over to where Tarrin was standing.

"There wasn't any." Josey said.

"Bummer." Tarrin commented.

Josey unzipped her hoodie and took it off as she crouched down to cover the snoring friend of Jared’s, but the moment she started to lay it on the guy, Tarrin grabbed it and threw it over his own shoulders.

“Are you fricken kidding me?” Josey said as she stood, starting to feel the cool air hit her bare arms. She had only a simple t-shirt on now.

“What? Oh, you thought it was meant for him?” He asked feigning innocence.

Josey ripped the hoodie off Tarrin’s shoulders and put it back on before she walked over to the bag of water and crushed snack she had set down.

“Where are you going?” He asked, finding her attitude at his joke amusing.

“I’m leaving. Make sure he gets home alive at least. I will find out if you don't.” Josey said not turning around, as she walked towards the park.

Her threat made him chuckle softly.

“Wait!” Tarren yelled out as he stood up.

Josey stopped as she heard another car pulling up behind them.

Linux got out and walked over to where they were standing, eyeing Josey's back.

“Take him to 109 Stanton Gardens.” Tarrin said as he walked to where Josey had stopped.

Linux let out a whine, complaining, as he hooked the passed out guy from under his arms. The sound of heels dragging on the pavement made Josey turn around fast, wanting to watch, but all she could see was Tarrin’s polo shirt in her way.

She tried to peek around him, but he tried to stop her realizing Linux was wearing the same hoodie from when they were at the eatery earlier. Luckily Tarrin had left the over coat and hat he was wearing in the back seat.

“Hey that’s..I recognize that hoodie!” Josey exclaimed the moment she finally caught a glimpse of Linux coming around to the driver side of his car.

“Yes, they are popular. Now let’s get you home.” He said suddenly dragging her on the sidewalk past Linux’s car as it started to take off down the road.

“What..what is wrong with you? I think I know that guy.” Josey said as she tried to pull her wrist out of his grip.

“Ah, I..doubt it. Regardless, it’s late and you should be getting home. We will take my car. I will have someone pick that one up in the morning and have it delivered safe and sound to its owner.” Tarrin could feel the effects of waiting too long for the serum. He was suddenly feeling protective and aggressive, the mood tilt was noticeable to anyone who knew him personally.

“I don’t want to get in your car! Have you ever heard of asking? You can’t tell someone what they are going to do. I’m walking home.” Josey said with one last hard tug at his grip.

She broke free and started to head in the direction of the apartments. She’d had enough with his bossy attitude and couldn’t stand it any longer.

Before she took 3 steps, she was suddenly thrown over Tarrin’s shoulder. She could have sworn she heard him growl at her.

Kicking her feet as she pounded her hands into his back and dropping her bag, she started to yell as loud as she could.

“Let me down! If you don’t, I’m going to scream!” She went to give him a good kick until she heard the door of a car open and him lower her into the passenger seat.

She wanted to cry but wouldn’t give him the chance to mock her. She sat still as he reached over her and buckled the seat belt. He smelt good she thought for a moment before she wanted to slap herself for such a thought.

“Watch your feet.” He snapped at her, knowing the wolf was trying to come out.

Josey tucked her feet in and Tarrin slammed the car door.

She couldn’t believe this was happening. She wanted to call the cops the moment Tarrin got in and started his car.

“Don’t even think of calling the cops. You’ll be on your doorstep before they even pick up.” He said quietly as he made a wide U-turn across the empty streets.

It was less then 3 minutes, with the speed he was going, before they were at the front of the apartment complex. Suddenly feeling bad for hitting and kicking him, she turned to say thank you.

“Get out.” He snapped in a low voice, trying desperately not to let the change take over.

“Geesh, I was just going to say thank y..” she couldn’t finish her words because he snapped louder, cutting them off.

“I said..GET OUT!” His words rang in Josey’s ears making her rush to open the door.

The seat belt caught her neck as she tried getting out, cutting slightly into it. Clicking it to set herself free, not noticing she cut her neck, she heard Tarrin growl louder.

Josey just taking it as him being a jerk, got out and slammed the door behind her. Turning, ready to swear at him and let him have it, she was too late, he had driven off too quick, so she just let her tears fall instead.

**Side note : Please keep in mind that Tarrin is inflicted with a genetic mutation, however, his mutation is that of a wolf, and as the cells of the wolf are fueled by his adrenaline, it tries desperately to take over. I hope this different take on the story of changing into a wolf doesn't disappoint! Let me know what you think. Xxo..:)